SCV Republicans open new headquarters

Local GOP get home after a year

Republicans celebrated the opening of their new headquarters in the Valencia Industrial Center on Friday. Staff passed out bumper stickers and yard signs and raffled off T-shirts, buttons, caps and other items.

The Republican spirit was high at the grand opening of the Santa Clarita Republican headquarters in Valencia’s industrial center on Friday.

The spacious new headquarters, located at 26027 Huntington Lane in Suite C, was gratefully welcomed by many after the local GOP endured a year without any place to call home.

SCV Congress of Republicans shut down their old headquarters in downtown Newhall a year ago. After rent doubled, the utility of the old, smaller building did not present itself, said B.J. Atkins, chairman of the 38th Assembly District’s Republican Committee.

“This is wonderful, so much nicer than the Newhall location,” said Sharon Ventrice, one of 16 volunteers helping with the event. “I like the air conditioning.”

The event planners received 200 RSVPs and expected as much as 400 total new and old supporters to attend throughout the evening, said headquarters coordinator Lynn Vakay.

The new base has three downstairs rooms and large garage space, an upper level, and plentiful parking space along the sidewalks.

From 6 to 7 p.m., guests wandered throughout downstairs rooms and garage while signing-up to volunteer, registering to vote, grabbing free McCain-Palin stickers, and mingling with fellow Republican community members.

SCV mom Carolyn Sehrer brought her whole family including her own very politically active mother to the event. “We’re big McCain-Palin supporters here to see what we can do to help,” she said.

At 7:15 p.m., Atkins gathered everyone in the garage and gave a formal welcome.

Both Atkins and State Senate Tony Strickland encouraged guests to volunteer and sign-up for the phone banks. Speakers rallied excitement as they told guests how crucial their help is in this tight 2008 election. Atkins had the crowd chanting McCain’s name by the end of his welcome.

Tables of sandwiches, snacks, and drinks were provided. Guests could enter a raffle to win free McCain-Palin items. Heart Love Alive, a Ventura band and strong McCain-Palin supporters, voluntarily performed live entertainment including a cover of the 1977 “Barracuda” song in honor of Sarah Barracuda, a nickname given to Gov. Palin in her basketball days.

Alan, 41, of Culver City, who attended with Karen, 37, of Valencia, said that he will be returning this week to help at the phone banks.

Lynn Vakay is proud of the amount of volunteer help they’ve received at the headquarters which unofficially opened two weeks ago. SCV call bank volunteers actually beat out the number of calls made by the entire county during one day this week, she said.

“It’s great to see so many new faces and people wanting to get involved for the first time,” City Councilwoman Laurie Ender said. “It’s a great sign.”